Robots are taking over operating rooms everywhere. Should you trust them? PopMech reports from the robotic surgery revolution.

Robots are taking over operating rooms everywhere. Should you trust them? PopMech reports from the robotic surgery revolution.

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Mazor Robotics Renaissance

Mazor Robotics Renaissance

The Renaissance, A robotic guidance system for spinal procedures, positions the surgeon’s drill during each step, combining ­pre-op scans with real-time X-rays to provide pinpoint accuracy.

Currently used on: Spine

Future procedures: It’s FDA-cleared for cranial surgery, though specific procedures haven’t been described in detail.

Ubiquity: Low

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Mako Surgical RIO

Mako Surgical RIO

The RIO is a single, superaccurate robotic arm on wheels. It can be fitted with various tools to resurface degraded or diseased joints or to position reconstructive implants.

Currently used on: Hips, knees

Future procedures: Despite steady sales of the RIO, Mako Surgical has struggled financially. Before the robot can move to other parts of the body, Mako will have to solidify its role in lower-body-joint surgery.

Mazor Robotics Renaissance

The Renaissance, A robotic guidance system for spinal procedures, positions the surgeon’s drill during each step, combining ­pre-op scans with real-time X-rays to provide pinpoint accuracy.

Currently used on: Spine

Future procedures: It’s FDA-cleared for cranial surgery, though specific procedures haven’t been described in detail.

Ubiquity: Low

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Mako Surgical RIO

The RIO is a single, superaccurate robotic arm on wheels. It can be fitted with various tools to resurface degraded or diseased joints or to position reconstructive implants.

Currently used on: Hips, knees

Future procedures: Despite steady sales of the RIO, Mako Surgical has struggled financially. Before the robot can move to other parts of the body, Mako will have to solidify its role in lower-body-joint surgery.

Ubiquity: Medium

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Intuitive Surgical da Vinci

The world’s most common surgical bot, the da Vinci­ system allows remote control of a 3D camera and up to three instrumented arms that enter the body through tiny (1- to 2-cm) incisions.

Future procedures: Rather than expanding use to new areas of the body, the CyberKnife team wants to develop more focused beams and the ability to treat patients who previously might have been ruled out.